but the court also said it would hear a challenge to the defense of marriage act passed under president clinton that defined marriage between a man and woman for the purposes of federal law. the question is why now? why did the supreme court choose this moment? nine states and washington, d.c. all recognize same-sex marriage now. that doesn't seem like many, but it's happening quickly. three of those states people voted to legal marriage in november. first time ever done so. there's a big public opinion trend here. since '04, polls have been asking people should it be legal or illegal for gay couples to get married. in 2004, 59% of people said they thought it should be against the law. in 2012 it was almost the opposite. 53% favor making it legal. pew has been asking the question since 1996. when 65% of people were against same-sex marriage. by october of this year, 49% were for marriage equality while 40% opposed it. one more set of numbers. gallup released their polling this week. 53% of people polled support legalizing same-sex marriage. but look inside the poll. among young people 1